Focus Stacking with Extension Rings; Can You Use Autofocus?

[JoeKitchen]

The title is pretty much it. 

If you use extension rings on the XF system, does auto-focus still work and will the automatic focus stacking on the XF still operate? 

[Steve Hendrix]

The title is pretty much it. 

If you use extension rings on the XF system, does auto-focus still work and will the automatic focus stacking on the XF still operate?

Hi Joe -

Sadly, the extension rings for the XF camera do not retain auto focus capability, so they cannot work with the automatic focus stacking feature.

They are ironically named Auto Extension Rings, but the "auto" is referring to the electric contacts that enable the aperture data to be transferred to digital back. This then enables one to shoot in aperture priority mode and the selected aperture appears in the exif data.


Steve Hendrix/CI

[JoeKitchen]

Thanks Steve. 

Is the a scientific method when doing focus stacking manually, or do you just kind of wing it? 

[Steve Hendrix]

Thanks Steve. 

Is the a scientific method when doing focus stacking manually, or do you just kind of wing it?

The real value of the method the XF employs is the automation.

Obviously, not having automated focus stacking as a feature is not a show stopper, people have been doing it for years. Not having spent a lot of time in the manual focus stacking arena, I would hazard that there is some trial and error, and that the more you do it, the better and more consistent your results.

Similar to 360º photography. We sell some automated systems for this, but I've met photographers who use their hands and a lazy susan.

But it's awfully nice when a camera can give you a solid estimate for the optimal number of captures at a specific aperture, automate the movement for those captures (which could go up into the hundreds, not a fun task manually having to re-focus each one of those shots), and then embedding a sequence ID into the metadata.


Steve Hendrix/CI

[Mexecutioner]

Will automated focus stacking will ever be available with the 40-80 and 75-150 BR zooms? Any idea?

[BernardLanguillier]

The real value of the method the XF employs is the automation.

Obviously, not having automated focus stacking as a feature is not a show stopper, people have been doing it for years. Not having spent a lot of time in the manual focus stacking arena, I would hazard that there is some trial and error, and that the more you do it, the better and more consistent your results.

Similar to 360º photography. We sell some automated systems for this, but I've met photographers who use their hands and a lazy susan.

But it's awfully nice when a camera can give you a solid estimate for the optimal number of captures at a specific aperture, automate the movement for those captures (which could go up into the hundreds, not a fun task manually having to re-focus each one of those shots), and then embedding a sequence ID into the metadata.


Steve Hendrix/CI

Indeed, the GFX-100 does this very well too.

And AF works with extension tube MCEX-45G WR, I haven't tried focus stacking with it though.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Steve Hendrix]

Indeed, the GFX-100 does this very well too.

And AF works with extension tube MCEX-45G WR, I haven't tried focus stacking with it though.

Cheers,
Bernard

Me neither, but for any camera where pass through auto focus exists (via ext tubes), I can't imagine why automatic focus stacking would not be possible. The requisite control of the auto focus motor is atttained, so shouldn't be an issue.


Steve Hendrix/CI

[photoenthusiasm]

Thanks Steve. 

Is the a scientific method when doing focus stacking manually, or do you just kind of wing it?

I use manually focus stacking: typically some 20 images, irrespective of using an extension ring. Gear: phase one 645DF+ with P65+; files tiff 16-bit.
It works well for me although sometimes a reach the limits of my computers performance